asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that vested cottiers who have purchased their cottages are unable to obtain a loan from local authorities or elsewhere for the improvement or reconstruction of their homes because section 21 (1) of the Labourers Act, 1936, provides that a cottage, during the payment period, shall not be mortgaged or charged and because the Act does not enable a tenant to purchase his cottage by lump sum or to redeem the outstanding value of the annuity; and if he intends to bring in legislation to remedy the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Loans for Vested Cottiers.
43.
The position is as stated by the Deputy. The statutory provisions in question were devised to safeguard the long term interests of the general body of cottage tenants. I appreciate that the difficulty mentioned by the Deputy arises in some cases. I have had this matter under consideration in conjunction with other proposals to amend the Housing Acts and any amendment of the law that may be found necessary or desirable will be embodied in the next amending Bill.